"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to
feel and live in harmony with
the Earth. ."
Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori (1870 to 1952)
Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy over 130 years ago, yet her educational method based on the observation of the needs of children, gains international notice to this day. She began her career as a medical doctor - the first woman to graduate (or attend!) the University of Rome. She went on to achieve doctorate degrees in Anthropology, Philosophy and Psychology. Her studies educated her as to the unique characteristics of the body, mind, spirit and History of man. She then turned her focus to the education of children. It is here that she saw the greatest potential. Because she had witnessed many wars in her lifetime, she dedicated her life to finding an answer for peace throughout the world. She believed the child should be taught, among his regular studies, to respect each person, welcoming differences that are cultural and diverse. Each person fulfills the need for food, clothing, shelter, transportation and safety differently, but fundamentally we are all the same.
Maria Montessori was a guest of many international figures, including Woodrow Wilson, Luther Burbank, Alexander Graham Bell and the royalty of Europe, but she chose to focus her attention on the child, and opened her first school in the slums of Rome. At the Ninth International Montessori Congress held in London, in May, 1951, she stated:
"I cannot help thinking that you are paying too much attention to me. I am pointing - as I have never ceased to point for the past forty years - to someone outside myself, and you are saying in effect. "What a handsome finger she has!" The highest honor and the deepest gratitude you can pay me is to turn your attention from me in the direction in which I am pointing - to The Child."
Dr. Montessori authored over 25 books, created over 2000 teaching and learning materials. There are Montessori Schools and training centers located in almost every country throughout the world.